7D, 5DII, 1DIII, 1DSII Which Body?

<p>About a month or so ago I purchased a Canon 50D after being out of the photo hobby for about 10 years and wanted to start shooting again. I am very pleased with the 50D and have accumulated several lenses in the past month (only one of which is a S lens - a 10-22 wide zoom). I am planning on adding a second body and initially thought I would go with the 7 since it is brand new, but my local camera store is suggesting that maybe I want to consider a 5dmkii (used) or a 1diii (used) or a 1dsii (used) as an alternative to the 7D (they don't sell used cameras so this isn't a sales ploy - since they couldn't sell me one of these anyway). I can get any of these bodies for under $3K each, obviously the 7D for a little more than half of that. <br>

I have read reviews on all the cameras, but not really anything comparing and contrasting. I am purely a hobbyist so this has nothing to do with professional usage.<br>

What are your recommendations and why?</p>

<p>Check with Adorama in New York. They were selling Canon refurbished 1D3's for $3,000. I have a 1D3 and a 1Ds3 and that combination will do anything. The 1D3 with the larger sensor (than typical crop 1.6) and 10mp gives great results. I've printed 20x24's that look wonderful. I'd stay away from a 1DS2 as the mark 3 bodies had a complete upgrade. 14 bit processing, sensor cleaning, highlight priiority feature, vastly improved battery system to name a few. The pro bodies offer much better autofocus and metering. This allows the photographer to "get" more shots that with the non-pro bodies. I had a 5D that I got rid of when I got the 1DS3. Even though the 5D was a good camera it couldn't match the 1D3's capabilities.</p>

<p>Budget? What subjects do you like to shoot?</p>

<p>Budget is about $3K (since this is about the max cost for any of the above referenced bodies). I think the 1DSIII is too expensive for me to justify that expenditure as a casual hobbyist - now if it we an amplifier or pair of speakers, that's a different story.<br>

Subjects? This is tougher as I am just getting back into things. I bought a macro lens recently and really love macro shooting which I had never done before. About once or twice a month I like to just go out and shoot interest subjects - I guess this would be mostly scenics more than anything else. I have 2 kids, so we have typical family stuff - portraits, action, things we want to record for memories. Some sports, but I feel that my 50D may be good for this in terms of speed @ 6.3/sec. and shooting with my 70-200 IS or 300 IS.</p>

<p>Why do you want a second body? Let me make it clear I'm not trying to tell you that you don't; I'm wondering if your motivation for it might provide some clues as to what might or might not be a good choice.</p>

<p>Any of the above would make your 50D the second body. I would ( and did ) go with the 5D2. </p>

<p>I shoot and shot with the 1Ds series as well as the 5D. For carrying around and over all image quality (in that price range) i find the new 5D MII top of the group. If other factors come into consideration, like build strength, battery, autofocus speed and versatility come into play the D or Ds cameras might be the better solution. <br>

I personally love the 5D II most of the time, great to bring on trips, enough battery life, fantastic sensor/image quality. Easy but versatile enough for straight up shooting and nice performance in low light, so you actually can shoot a little past sunset outside...</p>

<p>Why a second body? I guess if I have a second body I just feel more comfortable knowing that I have a second and that if something should happen to the first, I am not screwed until I get a new one. I do a remote trip with my son every year, Quetico, Isle Royal, Arctic Circle like destinations, much of the time spent in canoes. So I would like to delegate the 50D to in canoe, on ski trips, in the boat and a better body for safer times. Also, I wouldn't mind keeping a body in my car for those times when I just come across something with great lighting, etc. . . Realistically do I need a second body? Probably not. But if I bring my daughter with me, with a second body she can also do some shooting, she is 8 and I think she would like to be able to take her own pics. My son's not too interested though.</p>

<p>As somebody who is just in this for a hobby, does the full frame really make that big of a difference? I am not looking to publish anything or sell my artwork for that matter, just for personal enjoyment and maybe sending images/prints to friends.</p>

<p>Chris - I think you are looking for the wrong type of 2nd camera altogether. For the type of shooting you're doing, you might consider one of the new compact Canon Powershoot or similar. The lens is part of the camera and is very light weight. If you are going to get a different camera, it should be different enough to justify it's use, otherwise it might just sit around and colect dust. I think the image quality of this type of camera will be fine for your shooting, and the ability to take it everywhere may allow you to capture some shots that would not have been possible if you thought about bringing another body with lenses, trpod, etc.<br>

Good Luck, Harry</p>

<p>Chris,<br>

Don't buy any other cameras until you use your 50D for a year or so. By then a lot of things in the market and in your head will have shaken out and you will have a much better idea of what if anything else you need. Bodies, specially DSLRs, come and go but lenses last a lot longer. Learn to max out the quality and potential you can get from your 50D with excellent technique and post processing. With a camera that good the only limitation is the person behind the viewfinder. Good luck.</p>

<p>Harry - you hit the nail on the head. I have a Canon G9 Powershot and it's great. 12mp and it can shoot RAW. A real featherweight compared to carrying around a series 1 body and a bag of lenses.</p>

<p>My vote goes to the 5DII since the 1DsIII is out of your budget range. The 7D would replace your 50D instead of enhancing your photographic experience. </p>

<p>Chris,</p>

 

<p>First, to expand on Harry’s point, the P&S cameras are quite impressive, and much

more eight-year-old-daughter-friendly than <em>any</em> DSLR. They have their limitations, sure, but they’re much better than you probably think they are.</p>

 

<p>Also, since you’t not making money off this, you might want to keep in mind that you

can walk into pretty much any big-box electronics store and walk out with a DSLR. If you’re

near civilization — which, granted, you say you aren’t always — you can have

your replacement camera in your hands pretty much the next day.</p>

 

<p>As a general rule, the larger the format (sensor size), the better image quality from

enlargements above a certain size. The full-frame cameras start to pull away from the crop sensors

above about 12″ × 18″. Crop sensors can still make excellent prints larger than

that; it’s just that they don’t look as good in side-by-side comparisons. If

you’re planning on doing what’s better described as murals than prints, then

you’ll want to move up to medium format, or larger.</p>

 

<p>Of course, the crop sensor cameras are smaller, lighter, and cheaper, and generally require

smaller, lighter, and cheaper lenses, tripods, <i>etc.</i>, so there’s a lot to be said for

them, as well. Indeed, unless you need to make prints bigger than what you can make on a $500

printer, there’s not a whole lot to be gained from the larger format.</p>

 

<p>Also put some consideration into the rest of the feature set. There’s a reason why landscape and wedding photographers go for the 5DII over the 1DIII, and why sports photographers the other way ’round. And it’s not (just) the cost of of the cameras; they’re each choosing the best camera <em>for their purposes.</em> You should do the same.</p>

 

<p>Cheers,</p>

 

<p>b&</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Realistically do I need a second body? Probably not.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>So don't buy. If you insist, get a Rebel.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>But if I bring my daughter with me, with a second body she can also do some shooting, she is 8 and I think she would like to be able to take her own pics.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>A small P&S is the best bet for her. TZ7 will do nicely.</p>

<p>Happy shooting,<br>

Yakim.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"What are your recommendations and why?"</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Without knowing something about what you shoot and what you are trying to accomplish with the second body there is no way to offer intelligent advice, I'm afraid.</p>

<p>Until then, if you like your 50D and just want a backup, why not another 50D?</p>

<p>Dan</p>

<p>Why not go with a Full Frame and keep your your 50D if you are satisfied with it. A full frame is a whole other experience.</p>

<p>Like Dan it is hard to give advice - for sports the 1DIII or possibly the 7D (lest see how the AF performs). For a different approach to your 50D, wide angle, landscapes and portraits the 5DII or 1DsII (you may also want to consider a used 5D if you do not shoot high ISO or enlarge to more than 17x11 inches). The 7D will be a more versatile body than the 1DIII but will lack it's durability and probably have a weaker AF system. The 5DII will beat the 1DsIII for image quality, especially large enlargements or high ISO but has better AF and is much more durable.<br>

I am not sure how much you want to pay for the 1 series durability - in my case I have almost always shot 1 series or before that F1s for their durability (cimbing, skiing, kayaks etc....) but for extreme conditions I tend to use a film body these days as to mee they seem less vulnerable to accidents (less apertures in the body such as the LCD screen, in the case of the New F1 a lot less electronics) and are not the same cost to lose since i do not shoot professionaly. I know that once the temperature drops below about -30C I switch back to film as years of experience tells me that the bodies can take it - I don't mind writing off an EOS 1V I can replace for $500 but with a 1DIII that will cost almost $3000 to replace I would be more careful.</p>

<p>Chris,<br>

if your primary intention is to have a backup body on travel, think of the bulk and weight of the 1D... cameras. For pure backup use a lightweight Rebel class camera would do it. If you want more pixels for huge prints, the used 1DsII won't have it. The 7D and/or 5D II possibly is a good compromise (more pixels, reasonable weight).</p>

Reading "between the lines" of your posts as it were, I would say a digital P&S is the way to go. The Canon G series are no slouches in the IQ dept., good for unobtrusive spur of the moment shots, decent for a wide range of genres, 8-year-old-hand friendly ;-) and when you want a more 'serious' imaging machine, you'll still have your 50D. A once-a-year trip to a remote arctic location doesn't really justify a 3k camera in my book, but YMMV :)

<p>I second the advice to stick with your 50D and use it to its limits for now. If money really <i>is</i> burning a hole in your pocket, I can help you spend it ;-)

<p>I'd say go to a real store and try some of the bodies out.</p>

<p>Maybe even rent one.</p>

<p>Then decide if you want to spend that amount of cash on a new body.</p>

<p>(If I read your post correctly you just want a very nice camera to play with next to your 50D. My guess is that the 5D2 would suit you just fine.)</p>

<p>Digital depreciation is the elephant in the photography room today. As the market is rapidly progressing to full frame in top end consumer, and semi pro bodies, I would try to get into that sector by buying used. It makes sense to take the view that there will be less depreciation than in the crop sensor sector. Thats where I would be putting my money. I would also try to stay with models that have been out for a year or less for the same reason. The 5D2 would make a fine primary body with the 50D as a back up.</p>

<p>As you say for a "hobbyist", you don't want 1D camera because it is big and bulky and expensive. Especially for walks in the park you will notice the weight. Now if you would be an eager amateur wanting maximum quality, definately. I used 1D Mark III and it's a very nice camera, and when used for sports or wildlife with an even more expensive lens ($4000 300mm f/2.8 or $6000 500mm f/4) it is the most fun to use it.<br>

But for your purposes sounds like your 50D is enough. If you reach a point where you notice the low-light limitations of a half-sensor, then perhaps 5D or 5D Mark II, but each camera has a "catch", it's good for some things but not others (like both 5D cameras don't have a high frame rate, and 1D has faster autofocus), but then the 1D has a catch of high price and bulk. I had a big pro camera for a year (10 years ago) and sold it because its weight/bulk was an issue for hiking, or more specifically fitting into my backpack outdoors or in the city.<br>

You could instead get a 70-200mm f/2.8 or a portrait lens 85mm f/1.2, and notice a lot more "fun factor" than a new body would bring. The lenses make the most difference.<br>

<img src="http://www.robertbody.com/panoramic08/images/2008-11-29-tempe-sunset-57722sp.jpg" alt="" width="880" height="221" /></p>

<blockquote>

<p>The 7D will be a more versatile body than the 1DIII but will lack it's durability <em>and probably have a weaker AF system</em>.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>You may want to read <a href="http://www.canon-europe.com/cpn_eos7d/">this</a>. Click on 'Technology' and read the AF part.</p>

<p>Happy shooting,<br />Yakim.</p>

<p><em>I do a remote trip with my son every year, Quetico, Isle Royal, Arctic Circle like destinations, much of the time spent in canoes. So I would like to delegate the 50D to in canoe, on ski trips, in the boat and a better body for safer times. Also, I wouldn't mind keeping a body in my car for those times when I just come across something with great lighting, etc. . . Realistically do I need a second body? Probably not. But if I bring my daughter with me, with a second body she can also do some shooting, she is 8 and I think she would like to be able to take her own pics. My son's not too interested though.</em></p>

<p>I think this screams for a d-rebel.</p>

<p>d-rebels are surprisingly tough - yes they're made out of ABS plastic not metal, but remember they make canoes out of ABS plastic as well - you can smack the thing on a rock and it won't break. If you drop the camera in the water, it doesn't matter whether it's a 1D with seals or if it's a d-rebel: the camera will be toast. Image quality of the d-rebels is very very good.</p>

<p>The d-rebel will be lighter, easier to portage, and easier to handle for an 8 yr old. You'll be able to share lenses with the 50D so I think it's better value than a high-end p&s</p>

<p>Be sure to a Pelican case. Have fun.</p>

<p>http://photos.photosig.com/photos/60/93/2059360-15c6497744450f20.jpg</p>

<p> </p>